Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees [Abstract]

Commitments - Leases

	Rental Income		Sublease Income		Gross Rental Payments
	(In millions)
2013	$	474	$	25	$	278
2014	$	422	$	18	$	213
2015	$	377	$	16	$	183
2016	$	296	$	16	$	155
2017	$	224	$	15	$	131
Thereafter	$	1,035	$	81	$	886

Asbestos Related Claims [Member]

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency

	December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In millions, except number of claims)
Asbestos personal injury claims at year end		65,812		66,747		68,513
Number of new claims during the year		5,303		4,972		5,670
Settlement payments during the year (1)	$	36.4	$	34.2	$	34.9

(1) Settlement payments represent payments made by MLIC during the year in connection with settlements made in that year and in prior years. Amounts do not include MLIC’s attorneys’ fees and expenses and do not reflect amounts received from insurance carriers.

Insurance-related Assessments [Member]

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency

	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(In millions)
Other Assets:
Premium tax offset for future undiscounted assessments	$	114	$	97
Premium tax offsets currently available for paid assessments		14		14
Receivable for reimbursement of paid assessments (1)		6		6
	$	134	$	117
Other Liabilities:
Insolvency assessments	$	205	$	193

(1) The Company holds a receivable from the seller of a prior acquisition in accordance with the purchase agreement.