Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details Textuals) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Corporate Joint Ventures that are Essentially Permanent in Duration [Member] USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2010 Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Corporate Joint Ventures that are Essentially Permanent in Duration [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] Minimum [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] Maximum [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 MetLife Bank Reverse Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Ceded Assumption Reinsurance of Certain Closed Blocks of Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 MetLife Bank Servicing [Member] USD ($)
Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract]
Minimum per unit fair value of fund assets backing certain U.K. unit-linked contracts	1	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 settlement payment	108
Contingent consideration				109
Amount of difference between the aggregate guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund	less than £106 million	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												60	85
Net gain (loss) related to exit of business and pending business disposition, net of income tax										(163)	(212)
Liabilities of business transferred to subsidiary under funding agreements that are included in policyholder account balances			3,806	0	0					3,806
Net consideration																580
Net assets sold																608
Gain (loss) on disposal								5	(21)						25
Assets related to sale of business									859	7,800	21,300			9,100	4,100
Liabilities related to sale of business									707	6,800	19,900			9,100	4,100
Liability recognized in purchase accounting for the anticipated and estimated costs associated with restructuring foreign branches into subsidiaries						62	277
Change in liability recognized in purchase accounting for the anticipated and estimated costs associated with restructuring foreign branches into subsidiaries						(51)
Proceeds collected related to exit of business			$ 576	$ 126	$ 0											$ 190