Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	Total	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]		Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other-Than-Temporary Impairments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 57,889	$ 370		$ 57,519	$ 1	$ 11	$ 26,782	$ (172)	$ 24,814	$ 9,115	$ (441)	$ (648)	$ (1,943)
Stock-based compensation	145			145			145
Dividends on preferred stock	(61)			(61)					(61)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(63)	(63)
Net income (loss)	2,171	20	[1]	2,151					2,151
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,648	(4)		2,652						2,805	26	(229)	50
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	62,729	323		62,406	1	11	26,927	(172)	26,904	11,920	(415)	(877)	(1,893)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	64,837	384		64,453	1	11	28,011	(172)	25,205	14,642	(223)	(533)	(2,489)
Stock-based compensation	165			165			165
Dividends on preferred stock	(61)			(61)					(61)
Dividends on common stock	(808)			(808)					(808)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(22)	17		(39)			(39)
Net income (loss)	1,502	14	[1]	1,488					1,488
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(5,205)	(10)		(5,195)						(4,025)	49	(1,292)	73
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 60,408	$ 405		$ 60,003	$ 1	$ 11	$ 28,137	$ (172)	$ 25,824	$ 10,617	$ (174)	$ (1,825)	$ (2,416)

[1] Net income (loss) at June 30, 2013 and 2012, attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries of less than $1 million and $12 million, respectively.