Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $173,604 and $165,371, respectively; includes $160 and $157, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 188,911	$ 173,746
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $1,926 and $1,813, respectively)	2,065	1,892
Trading and fair value option securities, at estimated fair value (includes $654 and $662, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $15 and $23, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	705	723
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $258 and $272, respectively; includes $308 and $338, respectively, under the fair value option)	49,059	46,024
Policy loans	8,491	8,421
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $8 and $1,141, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; includes $78 and $40, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)	7,874	7,798
Other limited partnership interests (includes $34 and $53, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,926	4,716
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	4,474	5,962
Other invested assets (includes $56 and $78, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	14,209	10,589
Total investments	280,714	259,871
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $2 and $21, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	1,993	1,098
Accrued investment income (includes $3 and $2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	2,293	2,249
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $2 and $7, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,439	23,637
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	5,975	6,416
Other assets (includes $4 and $24, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,469	4,716
Separate account assets	139,335	134,796
Total assets	458,218	432,783
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	117,402	111,963
Policyholder account balances	95,902	92,498
Other policy-related balances	5,840	5,671
Policyholder dividends payable	615	601
Policyholder dividend obligation	3,155	1,771
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	24,167	21,096
Short-term debt	100	175
Long-term debt (includes $91 and $520, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	2,027	2,828
Current income tax payable	44	365
Deferred income tax liability (includes $0 and $1, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	3,835	1,785
Other liabilities (includes $17 and $31, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	33,447	32,180
Separate account liabilities	139,335	134,796
Total liabilities	425,869	405,729
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 17)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	774
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 494,466,664 shares issued and outstanding	5	5
Additional paid-in capital	14,448	14,515
Retained earnings	12,470	9,352
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,034	2,158
Total Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity	31,957	26,030
Noncontrolling interests	392	250
Total equity	32,349	26,280
Total liabilities and equity	$ 458,218	$ 432,783