Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total		Convertible Preferred Stock	Noncontrolling Interests		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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1) (Accounting Standards Update 2009-17 [Member])	$ 30					$ 30					$ (12)	$ 31	$ 11
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009 (Previously Reported [Member])	31,707		0	371		31,336	1	8	16,859	(190)	17,707	(825)	(513)	(166)	(1,545)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	31,737		0	371		31,366	1	8	16,859	(190)	17,695	(794)	(502)	(166)	(1,545)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	0
Preferred stock redemption premium	0
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1) (Accounting Standards Update 2010-11 [Member])	0					0					(10)	10
Convertible preferred stock issuance	2,805		0			2,805			2,805
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	6,729					6,729		2	6,727
Issuance of stock purchase contracts related to common equity units	(69)					(69)			(69)
Stock-based compensation	119					119			101	18
Dividends on preferred stock	(122)					(122)					(122)
Dividends on common stock	(784)					(784)					(784)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(9)			(9)
Net income (loss)	2,665	[1]		(2)	[2]	2,667					2,667
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	4,147			5		4,142						4,272	136	(362)	96
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	47,218		0	365		46,853	1	10	26,423	(172)	19,446	3,488	(366)	(528)	(1,449)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	(2,805)					(2,805)			(2,805)
Preferred stock redemption premium	(146)		(146)			(146)					(146)
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	2,950					2,950		1	2,949
Stock-based compensation	215					215			215
Dividends on preferred stock	(122)					(122)					(122)
Dividends on common stock	(787)					(787)					(787)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	38			38
Net income (loss)	6,428	[1]		5	[2]	6,423					6,423
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	4,900			(38)		4,938						5,627	(75)	(120)	(494)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	57,889		0	370		57,519	1	11	26,782	(172)	24,814	9,115	(441)	(648)	(1,943)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	0
Preferred stock redemption premium	0
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	1,000					1,000			1,000
Stock-based compensation	229					229			229
Dividends on preferred stock	(122)					(122)					(122)
Dividends on common stock	(811)					(811)					(811)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(24)			(24)
Net income (loss)	1,353	[1]		29	[2]	1,324					1,324
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,323			9		5,314						5,527	218	115	(546)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 64,837			$ 384		$ 64,453	$ 1	$ 11	$ 28,011	$ (172)	$ 25,205	$ 14,642	$ (223)	$ (533)	$ (2,489)

[1] Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and net income (loss) exclude gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries of $9 million, $(13) million and $(2) million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

[2] Net income (loss) at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries of $9 million, $(13) million and $(2) million, respectively.