Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Investments [Abstract]

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

	December 31, 2012											December 31, 2011
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair Value		Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized						Estimated Fair Value
			Gains		Temporary Losses		OTTI Losses							Gains		Temporary Losses		OTTI Losses
	(In millions)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
U.S. corporate	$	102,669	$	11,887	$	430	$	—		$	114,126	$	98,621	$	8,544	$	1,380	$	—	$	105,785
Foreign corporate (1)		61,806		5,654		277		(1	)		67,184		61,568		3,789		1,338		1		64,018
Foreign government		51,967		5,440		71		—			57,336		49,840		3,053		357		—		52,536
U.S. Treasury and agency		41,874		6,104		11		—			47,967		34,132		5,882		2		—		40,012
RMBS		35,666		2,477		315		349			37,479		42,092		2,281		1,033		703		42,637
CMBS		18,177		1,009		57		—			19,129		18,565		730		218		8		19,069
ABS		15,762		404		156		13			15,997		13,018		278		305		12		12,979
State and political subdivision		12,949		2,169		70		—			15,048		11,975		1,416		156		—		13,235
Total fixed maturity securities	$	340,870	$	35,144	$	1,387	$	361		$	374,266	$	329,811	$	25,973	$	4,789	$	724	$	350,271
Equity Securities:
Common	$	2,034	$	147	$	19	$	—		$	2,162	$	2,219	$	83	$	97	$	—	$	2,205
Non-redeemable preferred		804		65		140		—			729		989		31		202		—		818
Total equity securities	$	2,838	$	212	$	159	$	—		$	2,891	$	3,208	$	114	$	299	$	—	$	3,023

(1) OTTI losses, as presented above, represent the noncredit portion of OTTI losses that is included in AOCI. OTTI losses include both the initial recognition of noncredit losses, and the effects of subsequent increases and decreases in estimated fair value for those fixed maturity securities that were previously noncredit loss impaired. The noncredit loss component of OTTI losses for foreign corporate securities was in an unrealized gain position of $1 million at December 31, 2012 due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of noncredit losses on such securities. See also “—Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses).”

Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity date

	December 31,
	2012				2011
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(In millions)
Due in one year or less	$	24,177	$	24,394	$	16,747	$	16,862
Due after one year through five years		66,973		70,759		62,819		64,414
Due after five years through ten years		82,376		91,975		82,694		88,036
Due after ten years		97,739		114,533		93,876		106,274
Subtotal		271,265		301,661		256,136		275,586
Structured securities (RMBS, CMBS and ABS)		69,605		72,605		73,675		74,685
Total fixed maturity securities	$	340,870	$	374,266	$	329,811	$	350,271

Continuous Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

	December 31, 2012								December 31, 2011
	Less than 12 Months				Equal to or Greater than 12 Months				Less than 12 Months				Equal to or Greater than 12 Months
	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(In millions, except number of securities)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
U.S. corporate	$	3,799	$	88	$	3,695	$	342	$	15,642	$	590	$	5,135	$	790
Foreign corporate		2,783		96		2,873		180		12,618		639		5,957		700
Foreign government		1,431		22		543		49		11,227		230		1,799		127
U.S. Treasury and agency		1,951		11		—		—		2,611		1		50		1
RMBS		735		31		4,098		633		4,040		547		4,724		1,189
CMBS		842		11		577		46		2,825		135		678		91
ABS		1,920		30		1,410		139		4,972		103		1,316		214
State and political subdivision		260		4		251		66		177		2		1,007		154
Total fixed maturity securities	$	13,721	$	293	$	13,447	$	1,455	$	54,112	$	2,247	$	20,666	$	3,266
Equity Securities:
Common	$	201	$	18	$	14	$	1	$	581	$	96	$	5	$	1
Non-redeemable preferred		—		—		295		140		204		30		370		172
Total equity securities	$	201	$	18	$	309	$	141	$	785	$	126	$	375	$	173
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position		1,941				1,335				3,978				1,963

Disclosure of Mortgage Loans Net of Valuation Allowance

	December 31,
	2012						2011
	Carrying			% of			Carrying			% of
	Value			Total			Value			Total
	(In millions)
Mortgage loans held-for-investment:
Commercial	$	40,472			71.0	%	$	40,440			56.1	%
Agricultural		12,843			22.5			13,129			18.2
Residential (1)		958			1.7			689			1.0
Subtotal (2)		54,273			95.2			54,258			75.3
Valuation allowances (1)		(347	)		(0.6)			(481	)		(0.7)
Subtotal mortgage loans held-for-investment, net		53,926			94.6			53,777			74.6
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs		2,666			4.7			3,138			4.4
Total mortgage loans held-for-investment, net		56,592			99.3			56,915			79.0
Mortgage loans held-for-sale:
Residential — FVO (1)		49			0.1			3,064			4.2
Mortgage loans — lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value (1)		365			0.6			4,462			6.2
Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans (1), (3)		—			—			7,652			10.6
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale		414			0.7			15,178			21.0
Total mortgage loans, net	$	57,006			100.0	%	$	72,093			100.0	%

(1) As a result of the MetLife Bank Divestiture described in Note 3, the Company has disposed of certain mortgage loans and de-recognized its securitized reverse residential mortgage loans.

(2) Purchases of mortgage loans were $205 million and $64 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(3) See Note 1 for a discussion of securitized reverse residential mortgage loans.

Disclosure of mortgage loans held-for-investment and valuation allowances by method of evaluation for credit loss

	December 31,
	2012								2011
	Commercial		Agricultural		Residential		Total		Commercial		Agricultural		Residential		Total
	(In millions)
Mortgage loans:
Evaluated individually for credit losses	$	539	$	181	$	13	$	733	$	96	$	159	$	13	$	268
Evaluated collectively for credit losses		39,933		12,662		945		53,540		40,344		12,970		676		53,990
Total mortgage loans		40,472		12,843		958		54,273		40,440		13,129		689		54,258
Valuation allowances:
Specific credit losses		94		21		2		117		59		45		1		105
Non-specifically identified credit losses		199		31		—		230		339		36		1		376
Total valuation allowances		293		52		2		347		398		81		2		481
Mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance	$	40,179	$	12,791	$	956	$	53,926	$	40,042	$	13,048	$	687	$	53,777

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Net

	Commercial			Agricultural			Residential			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	589		$	115		$	17		$	721
Provision (release)		(5	)		12			2			9
Charge-offs, net of recoveries		(22	)		(39	)		(5	)		(66	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		562			88			14			664
Provision (release)		(152	)		(3	)		10			(145	)
Charge-offs, net of recoveries		(12	)		(4	)		(3	)		(19	)
Transfer to held-for-sale (1)		—			—			(19	)		(19	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		398			81			2			481
Provision (release)		(92	)		—			6			(86	)
Charge-offs, net of recoveries		(13	)		(24	)		—			(37	)
Transfer to held-for-sale (1)		—			(5	)		(6	)		(11	)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	293		$	52		$	2		$	347

(1) The valuation allowance on and the related carrying value of certain residential mortgage loans held-for-investment were transferred to mortgage loans held-for-sale in connection with the MetLife Bank Divestiture. See Note 3.

Schedule of Financing Receivables, Non Accrual Status

	Past Due				Greater than 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Interest				Nonaccrual Status
	December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(In millions)
Commercial	$	2	$	63	$	—	$	—	$	84	$	63
Agricultural		116		146		53		29		67		157
Residential		29		8		—		—		18		17
Total	$	147	$	217	$	53	$	29	$	169	$	237

Impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment

	Loans with a Valuation Allowance								Loans without a Valuation Allowance				All Impaired Loans
December 31,	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Valuation Allowances		Carrying Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Carrying Value		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income
	(In millions)
2012:
Commercial	$	445	$	436	$	94	$	342	$	103	$	103	$	548	$	445	$	464	$	14
Agricultural		110		107		21		86		79		74		189		160		204		8
Residential		13		13		2		11		—		—		13		11		13		—
Total	$	568	$	556	$	117	$	439	$	182	$	177	$	750	$	616	$	681	$	22
2011:
Commercial	$	96	$	96	$	59	$	37	$	252	$	237	$	348	$	274	$	313	$	6
Agricultural		160		159		45		114		71		69		231		183		252		5
Residential		13		13		1		12		1		1		14		13		23		—
Total	$	269	$	268	$	105	$	163	$	324	$	307	$	593	$	470	$	588	$	11

Mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012						2011
	Number of   Mortgage Loans		Carrying Value after Specific     Valuation Allowance				Number of   Mortgage   Loans		Carrying Value after Specific   Valuation Allowance
			Pre- Modification		Post- Modification				Pre- Modification		Post- Modification
			(In millions)						(In millions)
Commercial		1	$	222	$	199		5	$	147	$	111
Agricultural		5		17		16		10		42		42
Residential		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total		6	$	239	$	215		15	$	189	$	153

Investment in leveraged leases

	December 31,
	2012			2011
	(In millions)
Rental receivables, net	$	1,564		$	1,859
Estimated residual values		1,474			1,657
Subtotal		3,038			3,516
Unearned income		(1,040	)		(1,268	)
Investment in leveraged leases	$	1,998		$	2,248

Net income from investment in leveraged leases

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Income from investment in leveraged leases	$	57		$	125		$	123
Less: Income tax expense on leveraged leases		(20	)		(44	)		(43	)
Investment income after income tax from investment in leveraged leases	$	37		$	81		$	80

Components of net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities	$	33,641		$	21,096		$	7,817
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(361	)		(724	)		(601	)
Total fixed maturity securities		33,280			20,372			7,216
Equity securities		97			(167	)		(3	)
Derivatives		1,274			1,514			(59	)
Other		(30	)		72			42
Subtotal		34,621			21,791			7,196
Amounts allocated from:
Insurance liability loss recognition		(6,049	)		(3,996	)		(672	)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		19			47			38
DAC and VOBA		(2,485	)		(1,800	)		(1,003	)
Policyholder dividend obligation		(3,828	)		(2,919	)		(876	)
Subtotal		(12,343	)		(8,668	)		(2,513	)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		119			236			197
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)		(7,973	)		(4,694	)		(1,762	)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)		14,424			8,665			3,118
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(5	)		9			4
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	14,419		$	8,674		$	3,122

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period	$	8,674		$	3,122		$	(1,338	)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of income tax		—			—			52
Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized		363			(123	)		242
Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the year		12,467			14,823			9,117
Unrealized investment gains (losses) of subsidiary at the date of disposal		—			(105	)		—
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:
Insurance liability gain (loss) recognition		(2,053	)		(3,406	)		(554	)
Insurance liability gain (loss) recognition of subsidiary at the date of disposal		—			82			—
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(28	)		9			(33	)
DAC and VOBA		(685	)		(808	)		(1,135	)
DAC and VOBA of subsidiary at date of disposal		—			11			—
Policyholder dividend obligation		(909	)		(2,043	)		(876	)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(117	)		39			(73	)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)		(3,279	)		(2,936	)		(2,283	)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) of subsidiary at date of disposal		—			4			—
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)		14,433			8,669			3,119
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(14	)		5			3
Balance, end of period	$	14,419		$	8,674		$	3,122
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$	5,759		$	5,547		$	4,457
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(14	)		5			3
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	5,745		$	5,552		$	4,460

Other than temporary impairment, credit losses recongnized earnings

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
	(In millions)
Balance, January 1,	$	(724	)	$	(601	)
Noncredit OTTI losses recognized (1)		(29	)		31
Securities sold with previous noncredit OTTI loss		177			125
Subsequent changes in estimated fair value		215			(279	)
Balance, December 31,	$	(361	)	$	(724	)

(1) Noncredit OTTI losses recognized, net of DAC, were ($21) million and $33 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Securities Lending

	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(In millions)
Securities on loan: (1)
Amortized cost	$	23,380	$	20,613
Estimated fair value	$	27,077	$	24,072
Cash collateral on deposit from counterparties (2)	$	27,727	$	24,223
Security collateral on deposit from counterparties (3)	$	104	$	371
Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value	$	28,112	$	23,940

(1) Included within fixed maturity securities, equity securities and short-term investments.

(2) Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions.

(3) Security collateral on deposit from counterparties may not be sold or repledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral

	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(In millions)
Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits)	$	2,362	$	1,660
Invested assets held in trust (collateral financing arrangements and reinsurance agreements)		12,434		11,135
Invested assets pledged as collateral (1)		23,251		29,899
Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral	$	38,047	$	42,694

(1) The Company has pledged fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans and cash and cash equivalents in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding and advances agreements (see Notes 4 and 12), collateral financing arrangements (see Note 13) and derivative transactions (see Note 9).

Purchased credit impaired investments, by invested asset class, held

	December 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	Fixed Maturity Securities				Mortgage Loans
	(In millions)
Outstanding principal and interest balance (1)	$	4,905	$	4,547	$	440	$	471
Carrying value (2)	$	3,900	$	3,130	$	199	$	173

(1) Represents the contractually required payments, which is the sum of contractual principal, whether or not currently due, and accrued interest.

(2) Estimated fair value plus accrued interest for fixed maturity securities and amortized cost, plus accrued interest, less any valuation allowances, for mortgage loans.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	Fixed Maturity Securities				Mortgage Loans
	(In millions)
Contractually required payments (including interest)	$	2,083	$	5,141	$	—	$	—
Cash flows expected to be collected (1)	$	1,524	$	4,365	$	—	$	—
Fair value of investments acquired	$	991	$	2,590	$	—	$	—

(1) Represents undiscounted principal and interest cash flow expectations, at the date of acquisition.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	Fixed Maturity Securities						Mortgage Loans
	(In millions)
Accretable yield, January 1,	$	2,311		$	541		$	254		$	170
Investments purchased		533			1,775			—			—
Accretion recognized in earnings		(203	)		(114	)		(71	)		(56	)
Disposals		(102	)		(65	)		—			—
Reclassification (to) from nonaccretable difference		126			174			1			140
Accretable yield, December 31,	$	2,665		$	2,311		$	184		$	254

The Components of Net Investment Income

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011			2010
	(In millions)
Investment income:
Fixed maturity securities	$	15,218	$	15,037		$	12,407
Equity securities		133		141			128
FVO and trading securities — Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities (1)		88		31			73
Mortgage loans		3,191		3,164			2,824
Policy loans		626		641			649
Real estate and real estate joint ventures		834		688			372
Other limited partnership interests		845		681			879
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments		163		167			101
International joint ventures		19		(12	)		(92	)
Other		131		178			236
Subtotal		21,248		20,716			17,577
Less: Investment expenses		1,090		1,019			882
Subtotal, net		20,158		19,697			16,695
FVO and trading securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments (1)		1,473		(453	)		372
Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans		177		—			—
FVO CSEs - interest income:
Commercial mortgage loans		172		332			411
Securities		4		9			15
Subtotal		1,826		(112	)		798
Net investment income	$	21,984	$	19,585		$	17,493

(1) Changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for securities still held as of the end of the respective years included in net investment income were:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011			2010
	(In millions)
Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities	$	51	$	(3	)	$	30
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments	$	1,170	$	(647	)	$	322

The components of net investment gains (losses)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities:
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector and industry:
U.S. and foreign corporate securities — by industry:
Utility	$	(61	)	$	(10	)	$	(3	)
Finance		(32	)		(56	)		(126	)
Consumer		(19	)		(50	)		(36	)
Communications		(19	)		(41	)		(16	)
Transportation		(17	)		—			—
Technology		(6	)		(1	)		—
Industrial		(5	)		(11	)		(2	)
Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities		(159	)		(169	)		(183	)
RMBS		(97	)		(214	)		(117	)
CMBS		(51	)		(32	)		(86	)
ABS		(9	)		(54	)		(84	)
State and political subdivision		(1	)		—			—
Foreign government		—			(486	)		—
OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings		(317	)		(955	)		(470	)
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals		253			25			215
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities (1)		(64	)		(930	)		(255	)
Total gains (losses) on equity securities:
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector:
Common		(34	)		(22	)		(7	)
Non-redeemable preferred		—			(38	)		(7	)
OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings		(34	)		(60	)		(14	)
Equity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals		38			37			118
Total gains (losses) on equity securities		4			(23	)		104
FVO and trading securities — FVO general account securities — changes in estimated fair value subsequent to consolidation		17			(2	)		—
Mortgage loans (1)		57			175			22
Real estate and real estate joint ventures		(36	)		134			(54	)
Other limited partnership interests		(36	)		4			(18	)
Other investment portfolio gains (losses)		(151	)		(7	)		(6	)
Subtotal — investment portfolio gains (losses) (1)		(209	)		(649	)		(207	)
FVO CSEs — changes in estimated fair value subsequent to consolidation:
Commercial mortgage loans		7			(84	)		758
Securities		—			—			(78	)
Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans		25			97			(722	)
Long-term debt — related to securities		(7	)		(8	)		48
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) (2)		(168	)		(223	)		(207	)
Subtotal FVO CSEs and non-investment portfolio gains (losses)		(143	)		(218	)		(201	)
Total net investment gains (losses)	$	(352	)	$	(867	)	$	(408	)

(1) Investment portfolio gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 includes a net gain (loss) of $37 million and ($153) million, respectively, as a result of the MetLife Bank Divestiture, which is comprised of gains (losses) on investments sold of $78 million and $1 million, and impairments of ($41) million and ($154) million, respectively. See Note 3.

(2) Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes a gain of $33 million related to certain dispositions as more fully described in Note 3. Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes a loss of $106 million related to certain dispositions and a goodwill impairment loss of $65 million. See Notes 3 and 11. Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a loss of $209 million related to a disposition. See Note 3.

Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains and losses

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
	Fixed Maturity Securities									Equity Securities									Total
	(In millions)
Proceeds	$	59,219		$	67,449		$	54,514		$	1,648		$	1,241		$	616		$	60,867		$	68,690		$	55,130
Gross investment gains	$	944		$	892		$	831		$	73		$	108		$	129		$	1,017		$	1,000		$	960
Gross investment losses		(691	)		(867	)		(616	)		(35	)		(71	)		(11	)		(726	)		(938	)		(627	)
Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings:
Credit-related		(223	)		(645	)		(423	)		—			—			—			(223	)		(645	)		(423	)
Other (1)		(94	)		(310	)		(47	)		(34	)		(60	)		(14	)		(128	)		(370	)		(61	)
Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings		(317	)		(955	)		(470	)		(34	)		(60	)		(14	)		(351	)		(1,015	)		(484	)
Net investment gains (losses)	$	(64	)	$	(930	)	$	(255	)	$	4		$	(23	)	$	104		$	(60	)	$	(953	)	$	(151	)

(1) Other OTTI losses recognized in earnings include impairments on (i) equity securities, (ii) perpetual hybrid securities classified within fixed maturity securities where the primary reason for the impairment was the severity and/or the duration of an unrealized loss position and (iii) fixed maturity securities where there is an intent to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value.

Rollforward of the Cumulative Credit Loss Component of OTTI income (loss)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
	(In millions)
Balance, at January 1,	$	471		$	443
Additions:
Initial impairments — credit loss OTTI recognized on securities not previously impaired		46			45
Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI recognized on securities previously impaired		70			143
Reductions:
Sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) during the period of securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI		(176	)		(90	)
Securities impaired to net present value of expected future cash flows		(17	)		(57	)
Increases in cash flows — accretion of previous credit loss OTTI		(2	)		(13	)
Balance, at December 31,	$	392		$	471

Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2012				2011
	Total Assets		Total Liabilities		Total Assets		Total Liabilities
	(In millions)
CSEs (assets (primarily loans) and liabilities (primarily debt)) (1)	$	2,730	$	2,545	$	3,299	$	3,103
MRSC (collateral financing arrangement (primarily securities)) (2)		3,439		—		3,333		—
Other limited partnership interests		356		8		360		6
FVO and trading securities		71		—		163		—
Other invested assets		85		—		102		1
Real estate joint ventures		11		14		16		18
Total	$	6,692	$	2,567	$	7,273	$	3,128

(1) The Company consolidates former QSPEs that are structured as CMBS and as collateralized debt obligations. The assets of these entities can only be used to settle their respective liabilities, and under no circumstances is the Company liable for any principal or interest shortfalls should any arise. The assets and liabilities of these CSEs are primarily commercial mortgage loans held-for-investment and long-term debt, respectively, and to a lesser extent include FVO and trading securities, accrued investment income, cash and cash equivalents, premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and other liabilities. The Company’s exposure was limited to that of its remaining investment in the former QSPEs of $168 million and $172 million at estimated fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The long-term debt bears interest primarily at fixed rates ranging from 2.25% to 5.57%, payable primarily on a monthly basis. Interest expense related to these obligations, included in other expenses, was $163 million, $324 million and $411 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 respectively.

(2) See Note 13 for a description of the MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) collateral financing arrangement. These assets primarily consist of fixed maturity securities and, to a much lesser extent, mortgage loans and cash and cash equivalents.

Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2012				2011
	Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss (1)		Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss (1)
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS:
Structured securities (RMBS, CMBS and ABS) (2)	$	72,605	$	72,605	$	74,685	$	74,685
U.S. and foreign corporate		5,287		5,287		4,998		4,998
Other limited partnership interests		4,436		5,908		4,340		6,084
Other invested assets		1,117		1,431		799		1,194
FVO and trading securities		563		563		671		671
Mortgage loans		351		351		456		456
Real estate joint ventures		150		157		61		79
Equity securities AFS:
Non-redeemable preferred		32		32		—		—
Total	$	84,541	$	86,334	$	86,010	$	88,167

(1) The maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity securities and the FVO and trading securities is equal to their carrying amounts or the carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. The maximum exposure to loss relating to mortgage loans is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by creditworthy third parties. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by income tax credits guaranteed by third parties of $318 million and $267 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee.

(2) For these variable interests, the Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor.

Commercial mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]

Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories

	Recorded Investment											Estimated Fair Value		% of Total
	Debt Service Coverage Ratios						Total		% of Total
	> 1.20x		1.00x - 1.20x		< 1.00x
	(In millions)											(In millions)
December 31, 2012:
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	29,839	$	730	$	722	$	31,291		77.3	%	$	33,730		78.3	%
65% to 75%		5,057		672		153		5,882		14.6			6,129		14.2
76% to 80%		938		131		316		1,385		3.4			1,436		3.3
Greater than 80%		1,085		552		277		1,914		4.7			1,787		4.2
Total	$	36,919	$	2,085	$	1,468	$	40,472		100.0	%	$	43,082		100.0	%
December 31, 2011:
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	24,983	$	448	$	564	$	25,995		64.3	%	$	27,581		65.5	%
65% to 75%		8,275		336		386		8,997		22.3			9,387		22.3
76% to 80%		1,150		98		226		1,474		3.6			1,473		3.5
Greater than 80%		2,714		880		380		3,974		9.8			3,664		8.7
Total	$	37,122	$	1,762	$	1,556	$	40,440		100.0	%	$	42,105		100.0	%

Agricultural mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]

Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories

	December 31,
	2012					2011
	Recorded Investment		% of Total			Recorded Investment		% of     Total
	(In millions)					(In millions)
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	11,908		92.7	%	$	11,802		89.9	%
65% to 75%		590		4.6			874		6.7
76% to 80%		92		0.7			76		0.6
Greater than 80%		253		2.0			377		2.8
Total	$	12,843		100.0	%	$	13,129		100.0	%

Residential mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]

Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories

	December 31,
	2012					2011
	Recorded Investment		% of Total			Recorded Investment		% of Total
	(In millions)					(In millions)
Performance indicators:
Performing	$	929		97.0	%	$	671		97.4	%
Non-performing		29		3.0			18		2.6
Total	$	958		100.0	%	$	689		100.0	%