INVESTMENTS (Details 12) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other-than-temporary impairments:
Severity	$ (6)	$ (44)	$ (51)
Change in intent	(48)	(62)	(12)
Foreign currency declines	(1)	(8)	(32)
Issuer-specific credit events	(265)	(1,048)	(1,165)
Adverse projected cash flows	(7)	(5)	(20)
Provision for loan losses	(26)	104	48
Foreign exchange transactions	151	(233)	(96)
Derivative instruments	92	(685)	447
Impairments of investments in life settlements	(971)	(309)	(312)
Other	282	129	(2)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)	1,744	930	691
MetLife
Other-than-temporary impairments:
Total net realized capital gains (losses)			(191)
Fixed maturity securities
Components of net realized capital gains (losses)
Sale of fixed maturity securities	2,432	2,607	1,913
Equity securities
Components of net realized capital gains (losses)
Sale of fixed maturity securities	$ 111	$ 484	$ 164