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Derivatives (Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) (Cash Flow Hedges [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) $ 606mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion $ (677)mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion $ (243)mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
Interest rate swaps
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) 587mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
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Foreign currency swaps
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) (15)mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
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Interest rate forwards
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) 34mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
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Credit forwards
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) 0mlic_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
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Net derivative gains (losses)
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) (692)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Recognized In Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) 5us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Net derivative gains (losses) | Interest rate swaps
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) 41us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Net derivative gains (losses) | Foreign currency swaps
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) (725)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Recognized In Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) 2us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
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Net derivative gains (losses) | Interest rate forwards
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) (8)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Net derivative gains (losses) | Credit forwards
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Net Investment Gains (Losses) [Member]
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) 10us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Net Investment Gains (Losses) [Member] | Interest rate swaps
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) 9us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
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Net Investment Gains (Losses) [Member] | Foreign currency swaps
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
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Net Investment Gains (Losses) [Member] | Interest rate forwards
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
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Net Investment Gains (Losses) [Member] | Credit forwards
     
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships      
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