Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Commitments and Guarantees - Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Textuals) [Abstract]
Commitments to fund partnership investments	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000
Number of years over which commitments will be invested in partnerships	5 years
Secured Demand Notes [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability	61,000,000	86,000,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	77,000,000	106,000,000
Commitments to Extend Credit [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability	86,000,000	144,000,000
Loan Origination Commitments [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability	124,000,000	181,000,000
Note Purchase Agreement [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability	1,800,000,000
Note Purchase Agreement [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Met Life Investors USA Insurance Company [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability	438,000,000
Note Purchase Agreement [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Parent Company [Member]
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability	$ 1,300,000,000