Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details Textuals) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] Minimum [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] Maximum [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 MetLife Bank Reverse Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Ceded Assumption Reinsurance of Certain Closed Blocks of Business [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 Ceded Assumption Reinsurance of Certain Closed Blocks of Business [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 MetLife Bank Depository Business [Member] USD ($)
Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract]
Minimum per unit fair value of fund assets backing certain U.K. unit-linked contracts			1
Change in value between the guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund in relation to UK unit linked contracts specified in Stock Purchase Agreement that triggers a payment between American International Group, Incorporated the Company			£ 106
Contingent consideration				109
Contingent consideration settlement payment	108
Amount of difference between the aggregate guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund	less than £106 million
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Additional charges expected related to the exit of business											10	40
Net gain (loss) related to pending business disposition, net of income tax								(45)	(155)
Liabilitiles of business transferred to subsidary under funding agreements that are included in policyholder account balances	3,806	0							3,806
Net consideration													38
Net assets sold					127	127							140
Gain (loss) on disposal					(8)	(8)								34	34
Assets related to sale of business					127	127	859	6,800	6,800	11,300			9,100	4,100	4,100	7,000
Liabilities related to sale of business					$ 102	$ 102	$ 707	$ 6,000	$ 6,000	$ 10,500			$ 9,100	$ 4,100	$ 4,100