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Investments (Evaluation of Available-For-Sale Securities for OTTI and Evaluating Temporarily Impaired AFS Securities - Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Equity securities available-for-sale with gross unrealized loss of equal to or greater than stated percentage 20.00%mlic_EquitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleWithGrossUnrealizedLossOfEqualToOrGreaterThanStatedPercentage  
Fixed maturity securities    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Change in Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss $ 1,200us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangeInNetUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss
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Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 1,400us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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2,600us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 542us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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758us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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Equity securities    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Change in Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss (24)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangeInNetUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss
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Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 56us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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80us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 30us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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36us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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Non-redeemable preferred stock    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 30us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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36us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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20% or more [Member] | Six months or greater [Member] | Fixed maturity securities    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 67us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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Number of Securities 27us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
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= mlic_TwentyPercentOrMoreMember
 
20% or more [Member] | Six months or greater [Member] | Fixed maturity securities | Investment Grade [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 24us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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Number of Securities 12us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
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Percentage of gross unrealized loss 36.00%mlic_PercentageOfGrossUnrealizedLoss
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20% or more [Member] | Six months or greater [Member] | Fixed maturity securities | Below Investment Grade [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss 43us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses
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Number of Securities 15us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
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Percentage of gross unrealized loss 64.00%mlic_PercentageOfGrossUnrealizedLoss
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20% or more [Member] | Twelve months or greater [Member] | Equity securities    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Number of Securities 6us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
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Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss $ 23us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
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20% or more [Member] | Twelve months or greater [Member] | Non-redeemable preferred stock | Aaa/Aa/A | Financial Services Industry [Member]    
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Percentage of gross unrealized loss 26.00%mlic_PercentageOfGrossUnrealizedLoss
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