Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues
Premiums	$ 9,096	$ 9,342	$ 27,386	$ 27,190
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees	2,131	1,998	6,306	5,856
Net investment income	5,517	4,252	16,436	14,658
Other revenues	455	720	1,445	1,878
Net investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(57)	(95)	(310)	(525)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)	10	(189)	39	(5)
Other net investment gains (losses)	69	229	119	221
Total net investment gains (losses)	22	(55)	(152)	(309)
Net derivative gains (losses)	(718)	4,196	(604)	4,233
Total revenues	16,503	20,453	50,817	53,506
Expenses
Policyholder benefits and claims	8,943	9,018	26,958	26,376
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	2,102	738	5,681	4,104
Policyholder dividends	355	384	1,050	1,130
Goodwill impairment	1,868	0	1,868	0
Other expenses	4,245	5,198	13,341	13,987
Total expenses	17,513	15,338	48,898	45,597
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax	(1,010)	5,115	1,919	7,909
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(53)	1,673	710	2,481
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	(957)	3,442	1,209	5,428
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	0	8	17	(1)
Net income (loss)	(957)	3,450	1,226	5,427
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3)	(6)	29	(6)
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	(954)	3,456	1,197	5,433
Less: Preferred stock dividends	30	30	91	91
Preferred stock redemption premium	0	0	0	146
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders	(984)	3,426	1,106	5,196
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,655	6,966	6,474	11,291
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax	19	(12)	35	(21)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$ 1,636	$ 6,978	$ 6,439	$ 11,312
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ (0.92)	$ 3.22	$ 1.02	$ 4.91
Diluted	$ (0.92)	$ 3.20	$ 1.01	$ 4.86
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ (0.92)	$ 3.23	$ 1.04	$ 4.91
Diluted	$ (0.92)	$ 3.21	$ 1.03	$ 4.86