Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 1,107	$ 870
Cash flows from investing activities
Sales, maturities and repayments of fixed maturity securities	8,890	5,321
Sales, maturities and repayments of equity securities	36	25
Sales, maturities and repayments of mortgage loans	793	795
Sales, maturities and repayments of real estate and real estate joint ventures	23	21
Sales, maturities and repayments of other limited partnership interests	71	116
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(9,255)	(7,147)
Purchases of equity securities	(115)	(17)
Purchases of mortgage loans	(282)	(363)
Purchases of real estate and real estate joint ventures	(68)	(8)
Purchases of other limited partnership interests	(200)	(156)
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives	77	365
Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives	(402)	(186)
Dividend of subsidiary	0	(53)	[1]
Net change in policy loans	3	(29)
Net change in short-term investments	468	(107)
Net change in other invested assets	(25)	(28)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	14	(1,451)
Cash flows from financing activities
Policyholder account balances: Deposits	7,310	8,438
Policyholder account balances: Withdrawals	(7,818)	(8,594)
Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	235	1,178
Long-term debt repaid	(363)	(207)
Financing element on certain derivative instruments	(16)	(13)
Dividends on common stock	(624)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,276)	802
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances	(13)	2
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(168)	223
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	895	745
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	727	968
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Net cash paid for Interest	102	118
Net cash paid (received) for Income tax	85	68
Assets disposed	0	4,857	[1]
Liabilities disposed	0	(4,567)	[1]
Net assets disposed	0	290	[1]
Cash disposed	0	(53)	[1]
Dividend of interests in subsidiary	0	(237)	[1]
(Gain) loss on dividend of interests in subsidiary	0	0	[1]
Capital contribution from MetLife, Inc.	$ 2	$ 0

[1] See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2012 Annual Report.