Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	Total	Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock at Cost	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other Than Temporary Impairments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010 (Previously Reported [Member])	$ 48,996	$ 48,625	$ 1	$ 10	$ 26,423	$ (172)	$ 21,363	$ 3,356	$ (366)	$ (541)	$ (1,449)	$ 371
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1) at Dec. 31, 2010	(1,778)	(1,772)					(1,917)	132		13		(6)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	47,218	46,853	1	10	26,423	(172)	19,446	3,488	(366)	(528)	(1,449)	365
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	(2,805)	(2,805)			(2,805)
Preferred stock redemption premium	(146)	(146)					(146)
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	2,950	2,950		1	2,949
Stock-based compensation	177	177			177
Dividends on preferred stock	(91)	(91)					(91)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	48											48
Net income (loss)	5,434	5,433					5,433					1	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,857	5,879						5,584	(51)	281	65	(22)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	58,642	58,250	1	11	26,744	(172)	24,642	9,072	(417)	(247)	(1,384)	392
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	57,889	57,519	1	11	26,782	(172)	24,814	9,115	(441)	(648)	(1,943)	370
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	0
Preferred stock redemption premium	0
Stock-based compensation	182	182			182
Dividends on preferred stock	(91)	(91)					(91)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(56)											(56)
Net income (loss)	1,221	1,197					1,197					24	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,253	5,242						4,908	170	89	75	11
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 64,398	$ 64,049	$ 1	$ 11	$ 26,964	$ (172)	$ 25,920	$ 14,023	$ (271)	$ (559)	$ (1,868)	$ 349

[1] Net income (loss) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries of $5 million and ($7) million, respectively.