Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $344,791 and $329,811, respectively; includes $3,349 and $3,225, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 378,005	$ 350,271
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $2,838 and $3,208, respectively)	2,803	3,023
Trading and other securities, at estimated fair value (includes $565 and $473, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $146 and $280, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	15,995	18,268
Mortgage loans:
Held-for-investment, principally at amortized cost (net of valuation allowances of $354 and $481, respectively; includes $2,928 and $3,187, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	57,884	56,915
Held-for-sale, principally at estimated fair value (includes $64 and $10,716, respectively, under the fair value option)	1,286	15,178
Mortgage loans, net	59,170	72,093
Policy loans	11,949	11,892
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $10 and $15, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,749	8,563
Other limited partnership interests (includes $271 and $259, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	6,730	6,378
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	14,678	17,310
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $81 and $98, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,477	23,581
Total investments	521,556	511,379
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $88 and $176, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	16,950	10,461
Accrued investment income (includes $14 and $16, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,716	4,344
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $3 and $12, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	22,939	22,481
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	24,604	24,619
Goodwill	10,024	11,935
Other assets (includes $6 and $5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,123	7,984
Separate account assets	237,373	203,023
Total assets	846,285	796,226
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	191,068	184,275
Policyholder account balances	226,882	217,700
Other policy-related balances	15,836	15,599
Policyholder dividends payable	817	774
Policyholder dividend obligation	3,909	2,919
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	38,493	33,716
Bank deposits	6,515	10,507
Short-term debt	100	686
Long-term debt (includes $2,733 and $3,068, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	19,621	23,692
Collateral financing arrangements	4,196	4,647
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,192	3,192
Current income tax payable	451	193
Deferred income tax liability	9,275	6,395
Other liabilities (includes $41 and $60, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; and $0 and $7,626, respectively, under the fair value option)	24,007	30,914
Separate account liabilities	237,373	203,023
Total liabilities	781,735	738,232
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 12)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries	152	105
MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized: 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference	1	1
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,065,840,714 and 1,061,150,915 shares issued at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 1,062,646,827 and 1,057,957,028 shares outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	11	11
Additional paid-in capital	26,964	26,782
Retained earnings	25,920	24,814
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,193,887 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	(172)	(172)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	11,325	6,083
Total MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	64,049	57,519
Noncontrolling interests	349	370
Total equity	64,398	57,889
Total liabilities and equity	$ 846,285	$ 796,226