XML 181 R180.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Contingencies - Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Claims
Dec. 31, 2013
Claims
Dec. 31, 2012
Claims
Minimum      
Loss Contingencies      
The approximate amount of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for matters as to which an estimate can be made $ 0us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Maximum      
Loss Contingencies      
The approximate amount of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for matters as to which an estimate can be made 390,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Superfund Site Settlement Agreements [Member]      
Loss Contingencies      
Number of regulatory matters and other claims 2us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= mlic_SuperfundSiteSettlementAgreementsMember
   
Maximum estimate of costs for environmental testing 100,000us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationExpense
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= mlic_SuperfundSiteSettlementAgreementsMember
   
Maximum estimate of aggregate costs to resolve matter 1,000,000us-gaap_SiteContingencyLossExposureNotAccruedHighEstimate
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= mlic_SuperfundSiteSettlementAgreementsMember
   
Superfund Site Settlement Agreements [Member] | Minimum      
Loss Contingencies      
Damages Sought 1,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
/ us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationSiteAxis
= mlic_SuperfundSiteSettlementAgreementsMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
C-Mart, Inc. V. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Et Al [Member] | Maximum      
Loss Contingencies      
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss 23,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= mlic_CMartInc.V.MetropolitanLifeInsuranceCompanyEtAlMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Asbestos Issue [Member]      
Loss Contingencies      
Loss Contingency Accrual $ 690,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
   
Number of regulatory matters and other claims 68,460us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
67,983us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
65,812us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember